Friday, January 8, 2016

Earlier this week, Carrie Underwood posted a video on social media of her husband, Mike Fisher, in the car singing Garth Brook's song, "The River." In the caption for the video, Underwood hinted that a duet might be coming soon, but it's unclear if she knew Brooks himself would be Mike's new duet partner. Garth recently took to Instagram to re-post the video of Fisher singing in the car and also had a proposition for the professional hockey star. Brooks said in the caption for the post, "@mfisher1212!! Bro, that is AWESOME! I HAVE to call you out after that...Nashville is the last city on the American leg of the World Tour...You and me, on stage, The River. You in? love you pal, g" Garth's mention of Nashville as the last city on the American leg of his World Tour was also the first time he's ever announced that!

RACHEL REINERT PARTS WAYS WITH GLORIANA

Rachel Reinert has parted ways with the trio Gloriana. Reinert made the announcement on Twitter yesterday, posting a lengthy heartfelt message about her decision to leave and also what's to come. Rachel wrote, "It has been such an incredible ride and I have so many beautiful memories that I will cherish for a lifetime." She then thanked everyone who's been a part of her journey with the band for the past eight years and also sent her love to former bandmates, Tom and Mike Gossin. Rachel wrote, "This was not an easy decision, nor one that I took lightly, but I felt that it was time for me to move on and follow my heart. I sincerely wish Tom and Mike Gossin all the best."

Reinert also spoke about the next step she's taking in her music career, saying, "I am excited to announce that I have begun working on the next chapter of my life as a solo country artist. I will be taking the first part of this year to write and record my album and cannot wait to get the music out as soon as I possibly can." There has been no word yet from the Gossin brothers or Gloriana's label Warner Music Nashville about Rachel's departure from the band. The group's latest studio album, Three, was released in June of last year. Gloriana's website has no upcoming tour dates listed for the band.

MIRANDA AND GWEN: FUTURE BFF's??

So how do Gwen Stefani and Miranda Lambert really feel about each other? You might be surprised.

A source tells E! News, "Gwen and Miranda are actually big fans of each other's music and respect each other as artists. Miranda has always thought very highly of Gwen and thinks she is an extremely talented artist." The source adds that Miranda is really happy for Blakeand Gwen, and that she's enjoying her own new romance with singer Anderson East.

Miranda and Anderson have been on a ski holiday in Aspen, where Anderson reportedly fell on the slopes and broke his collarbone.

A Florida woman got a really bad reception when asking her grandpa to let her move her cats into his home -- so she decided to smack him over the head with her cell phone!

Kelsie Shreve threw a hissy fit when 78-year-old Kenneth Shreve closed a window in his kitchen and told her he wasn't feelin' like having felines share his living space. She reportedly shoved the elderly man against the window frame before using her smart phone in the dumbest way possible -- opening up cuts to her grandpa's nose and eyebrow.

The younger woman was still there when cops responded to the 911 call, and she insisted that she was the victim in the incident, which was just the latest in a series of family issues. Both parties filed for orders of protection.

REGISTRY OFFENDERS:

A Michigan couple who'd just gotten engaged at their local Walmart found a unique way to prepare for their honeymoon -- by shoplifting sex toys from another shop in the same mall.

William Cornelius popped the question over the public address system at the big box store, then decided to celebrate by throwing his fiancee an off-the-cuff bridal shower -- during which he went to Spencer's Gifts and stole a couple of sexual devices, a pair of edible panties and a box of "sex candy." Security guards called cops, who found Cornelius in the food court, where he'd fallen asleep in the middle of tying his shoes.

The woman, whose name was not released, was found in possession of several items of jewelry, which she said Cornelius had stolen. She was also wearing an engagement ring, but had a Walmart receipt for $29.62 for that.

BONGING IN THE NEW YEAR:

Some Pizza Hut workers in Cypress, California had to work on New Year's Eve, but that didn't stop them from partying and now they're starting 2016 unemployed.

These pizza makers made two big mistakes. First, they decided to take hits from a bong. Then, they decided to take video of themselves taking hits from a bong. The video, of course, went viral and Pizza Hut was forced to fire the two pot heads.

The chain said in a statement, "There is no tolerance for this kind of activity at any of our restaurants. The local franchise owner took swift action and the employees involved will no longer work for Pizza Hut."

The Super Bowl halftime show just got a little more interesting. Show sponsor Pepsi confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that Beyonce will join Coldplay during the Feb. 7th musical extravaganza at the big game.

The pairing isn’t complete unexpected since she’s featured on the song “Hymn for the Weekend” from the band’s new album, Head Full of Dreams.

According to previous reports, Bruno Mars is also expected to guest with Coldplay.

Both of this year’s guests have history with the Super Bowl. Bruno Mars headlined the halftime show in 2014, while Beyonce was top billed in 2013.

ALL IS NOT WELL WITH THE WALKING DEAD:

In a newly unsealed deposition given in his big profits lawsuit against AMC, ousted The Walking Dead creator Frank Darabont holds nothing back, blasting executives at the cable network for hiding in air-conditioned offices, explaining how he had to manage a crisis at the beginning of the second season of the hit zombie show and discussing the "concocted" reasons for his firing.

Darabont and his agents at CAA are pursuing claims that AMC breached his contract and deprived him of tens of millions of dollars in profits from the hit series by making a sweetheart deal licensing the show to itself. Most recently, the case has turned its attention to whether AMC rightfully reduced his profit share as he left the show in the middle of the second season. Darabont claims he rendered showrunner services on all second-season episodes.

In his deposition, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Darabont talks about the early days of the show, saying that despite the massive ratings success of Walking Dead, AMC created budget problems for the series. (Read the court documents here.) - (STORY CREDIT - THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

The former View co-host is taking her case to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, where she's asking a judge to put the kibosh on the $4,600-a-month payments she's been making to Lamar Sally for their son, who was born through a surrogate last year.

According to TMZ, Sherri is appealing because she believes the "first judge overstepped his boundaries in using a surrogacy contract to make her the mom...even though she's not biologically related to the child."

The gossip blog points out that Sherri spent nearly $100,000 to "bring their kid into the world, yet wants nothing to do with him." Lamar tells TMZ that "it's unfortunate one day the baby will be able to read the lengths Sherri went to in order to be out of his life."

STAR WARS CONTINUES TO BREAK BOX OFFICE RECORDS

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”shattered another record on Wednesday as the highest grossing domestic film of all time.

The seventh installment in the sci-fi series has gone over the $760.5 million sales set by “Avatar” in its first 20 days of release, according to early box office numbers. The movie also crossed its $800 million mark at the international box office on Wednesday, but no international records have been set.

World-wide, “The Force Awakens” is the fourth highest-grossing movie of all time, placing behind “Jurassic World,” “Titanic” and “Avatar.” Officials are waiting to see how it performs in China, which could make the difference in whether it takes over the top spot internationally.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

A suspect has been arrested and charged with breaking into Kacey Musgraves's car and stealing her boots on Monday night.

According to reports, 30 year-old Darnell Cunningham also stole the receipt from the purchase, and tried to return the boots to the Lucchese store where Kacey had bought them. The store manager noticed Kacey's name on the receipt and questioned Cunningham, who reportedly grabbed the boots and out of the store.

Cunningham is in a Nashville jail on $25,000 bail. The damage to Kacey's car is estimated to be about $1400.

LIVE FROM NEW YORK, IT'S CHRIS STAPLETON:

NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) is kicking off the New Year with a performance from Chris Stapleton. Stapleton will appear as a musical guest on the live sketch comedy show on January 16, with the guest host for that evening being Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor Adam Driver. SNL recently announced the news by posting a picture on Instagram of a corkboard that had different colored cards pinned to it. Each card pinned to the board had the names of the hosts and musical guests for two different weeks written on them. The post also revealed that mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Ronda Rousey will host the January 23 show, with pop star Selena Gomez set to be the musical guest during that night's show. In January of 2015, Blake Shelton pulled double duty for SNL as the host and musical guest on the program.

NO BREAK IN SIGHT – DARIUS RUCKER

It hasn't even been a full year since Darius Rucker released his fourth country album, Southern Style, but Darius says he's already looking forward to that album's follow-up. "We're working on it," Rucker told The Boot, adding, "We're always writing for the next record." For Darius, it's important to keep his foot on the gas right now and continue his musical momentum. Rucker shared, "I will take a break sometime, but not right now; I don't feel like it right now. I'm just having fun putting out records and touring, so it's working." As for where he is in the album building process, Darius said, "I'm just really starting to write songs. I'm always trying to find myself little holes where I can do some songwriting. I've just started writing, so as soon as it starts coming together, I'll let you know."

Darius also talked about the rise of his Universal Music Group (UMG) label mate Chris Stapleton and how the growing popularity of Stapleton's brand of country might affect the music he makes. "I'm just gonna make the record I'm gonna make and hopefully have a little more success before my time's up," Rucker said, adding, "I'm happy for Chris. We've written a couple of my #1s together, and I love him; I think his record is amazing. I hope (his success) affects me in a positive way."

"JESUS AND JONES" – TRACE ADKINS

Trace Adkins is getting new music out to fans! After it was announced last August that Trace had signed a recording deal with BBR Music Group's newly-launched Wheelhouse Records, he's finally set to release his debut single for the label imprint. Adkins will release his new single "Jesus and Jones," a song about walking the line between temptation and good intentions. Trace recently sent a special email to fans about the song, telling them it's his first single off a new album that's set to come out later this year. Adkins then said, "This is a song that's auto-biographical. The first thing I ever did behind a microphone was singing bass in a gospel quartet. At the same time, I was playing guitar and singing in honky tonks, so, that's when the struggle began…the wrestling match between 'Jesus' and 'Jones' and I still struggle with that."

Written by Tyler Farr and fellow Nashville songwriters Jim McCormick and Casey Beathard, "Jesus and Jones" will be available across all digital retailers and streaming partners this Friday (1/8). The official lyric video for the song has already been released and can be seen here.

He got caught on Sunday stealing the hubcaps off a police car . . . in the police station parking lot. So he was arrested for larceny and tampering with an automobile.

And the Warwick Police Department posted about the crime on their Facebook page, and added the "Forrest Gump" quote, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Well . . . Shawn's brother complained that it wasn't nice to call Shawn "stupid" since he's, quote, "a good kid who made a mistake and has an obsession with certain things." Apparently a few other people complained too.

And the police department actually CAVED, and edited out the quote calling him stupid.

ILLEGAL FAMILY BONDING:

A father-and-son duo in England could have chosen any number of nice bonding experiences. They could have tossed a ball around, shared a beer or attended a father-son picnic.

Instead, these two bumbling morons dressed up as elderly women and attempted to rob a convenience store. Now they'll be doing many years of bonding behind bars.

17-year-old Declan Pick and his 38-year-old father, Martin, put on old lady wigs and overcoats, and clutched handbags for their elaborate scheme. The son then wheeled his dad into the store in a wheelchair. Once inside, the father hopped out of the chair and took out a shotgun. But they weren't quite prepared to deal with the store owner, who quickly chased them out of the store and down the street.

Declan and Martin were eventually caught by police and arrested. The father has already been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Declan has not yet been sentenced, but his older brother, who was waiting outside with a getaway car, was sentenced to 16 years.

WIENERS SHUTS DOWN POST OFFICE:

A post office in Florence, Alabama has re-opened after a bomb squad was called in -- and determined that a suspicious package was full of hot dogs.

Police received a call from the post office Wednesday morning after workers X-rayed a package and were suspicious of its contents. Authorities immediately evacuated the building and dispatched a bomb squad to investigate it. Technicians worked doggedly to safely remove the package from the building and then used a robot to open it. Inside they found hot dogs wrapped in aluminum foil.

"After 13 years on ‘NCIS,’ Michael Weatherly is leaving the show at the end of this season," CBS said Tuesday in a statement. "He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as ‘Very’ Special Agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make NCIS what it is today — the No. 1 drama in the world. We thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal."

Weatherly confirmed his departure on Twitter: "DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn't have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons. Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over the world — THANK YOU, it’s been a fantastic ride!"

Weatherly is the second lead to exit the long-running franchise. Star Cote de Pablo departed after season 11, with CBS Corp. CEO Moonves telling reporters at the time that the company did everything it could to keep the actress on the series.

Weatherly has a development deal with studio counterpart CBS Television Studios.

CAMPAIGN TO PARDON STEVEN AVERY GAINS FOLLOWERS

A campaign to pardon Steven Avery, the subject of Netflix’ “Making A Murderer,” now has hundreds of thousands of supporters. The convicted murderer is featured in the documentary about his life that tells of a first conviction that was proven to be wrong, and a second one he claims was a set-up.

Avery was wrongfully imprisoned for sexual assault and was in prison for 18 years before he was given his freedom in 2003. Four years later, he was convicted of a murder that had nothing to do with the first crime. He continues to be in prison for that conviction.

People are all over social networks chatting about the show and Avery, many claiming that he at least deserves a re-trial while others are calling for an outright pardon.

The documentary was filmed over a ten year time frame by Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi. The prosecution in the murder trial claims, Ken Kratz, claims he is painted as a villain in the series and that the documentary is biased and doesn’t present all the evidence for the viewers to make an informed decision.

The filmmakers claim they presented what the prosecutors claimed was their most important evidence in the trial to prove that Avery was guilty.

Avery's defense lawyers, Dean Strang and Jerome Buting, say that Avery was framed by the police, and they are also getting a following on social networking sites.NEW ALBUMS COLLECTION CELEBRATES ELVIS’ 60TH ANNIVERSARY

“Elvis Presley - The Album Collection,” a 60 CD limited edition box set anthology of the singer’s work, will be released on March 18. It commemorates Elvis’ first album release for RCA Records, which released on March 23, 1956. His second album, “Elvis,” was released in October of that year. Both went to the top of the charts and have been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

“Elvis Presley - The Album Collection” includes album titles recorded by Elvis and released by RCA during the artist’s lifelong association with the label. The deluxe set features Elvis's fabled Sun Sessions (recorded 1954-1955 at Sun Studio in Memphis, prior to Presley's signing with RCA), his first RCA sessions (January 10, 1956), and significant official Elvis album releases including studio, soundtrack and live titles in addition to compilations featuring unreleased songs or tracks new to the LP format.

Highlights of the set come from those two early albums, as well as music from his film soundtracks, plus the 1969 American Sound session albums “Elvis In Memphis” and “Back In Memphis.” It also includes tunes from his 1960’s Nashvile albums and his live concert recordings, “On Stage,” “Elvis As Recorded Live at Madison Square Garden” and “Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite.”

There is also a 300-page illustrated hard cover book featuring commentary, discographies, recording session details and more.

Fans will also get three CDs of rare tracks, with each volume featuring songs from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Elvis had 33 number one singles in the U.S. alone. His 57 original LPs--studio and live albums, compilations of non-album singles, film soundtracks, and even budget albums with hard-to-find material--have been reissued only sparingly during the digital era.

CHARLIE SHEEN: SET TO REHAB PUBLIC IMAGE WITH DR. OZ

Charlie Sheen is taking “New Year, New You” to heart.

Next week, He will appear on The Dr. Oz Show with the hope of improving his public image. The daytime talk show will be his launching pad. A source told the New York Post, “He’s turning over a new leaf.”

Since Charlie admitted his HIV status, he’s largely spent his time out of the spotlight. Yet, Dr Oz has been in constant contact, helping Sheen put down the drugs. The actor has also traded Bloody Marys for Downward Dogs.

Sheen apparently “quit drinking right after he did the Matt Lauer interview” last fall on The Today Show.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Blake Shelton will lend his voice to one of the pig villains in The Angry Birds Movie; an upcoming animated film is based on the hit video game series of the same name. Shelton will play a pig named Earl in the film, and he tells Entertainment Weekly that his role called for a little more country than he's used to.

Blake says, "They kept saying, 'More country!' I felt like I was doing a voice-over for Dukes of Hazzard." In addition to providing one of the voices for The Angry Birds Movie, Shelton has also been asked to come up with a song for forthcoming film. Blake is no stranger to writing songs, but he admits this new song project is a little out of his comfort zone. Shelton shares, "I can write things about myself and my life, but I don't have a whole lot of experience being shot out of a slingshot at pigs."

But Shelton was familiar with the Angry Birds phenomenon long before he was ever set to voice a character in the movie. "I wish I had a dollar for every minute I lost playing that freaking game, you know?" Blake admits, "Well, I guess I do now." The film, which also features the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride and Maya Rudolph, will be released in theaters on May 20.

POLAR PLUNGE: DIERKS BENTLEY

Dierks Bentley took to the frigid waters of a Nashville lake on New Year's Day (1/1) for his annual polar plunge. Wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, a pilot hat, and aviator sunglasses, Dierks walked into the lake accompanied by a large group of friends.

Bentley shot of video of the whole event and shared it with People. Before braving the cold water, Dierks looked at the camera and said, "Lake jump 2016. This is ridunkulous but we're doing it anyway. I don't know why we do this, but we do it."

One of Dierks' friends then clarified the reason why they make the polar plunge every year. The friend said, "We do it to wash off the old and breathe in the new." The group then made their way down a boat ramp and walked into the lake. The group has been doing the annual polar plunge for 14 years. The video of the event can be seen here.

Last January, Dierks gathered his then-newly announced "2015 Sounds Of Summer Tour" mates Kip Moore, Maddie & Tae andCanaan Smith and took them out on a boat on Nashville's Percy Priest Lake. Bentley then forced his tour mates to jump into the lake's icy waters.

FOCUSING ON THE MUSIC: KENNY CHESNEY

Sometimes tours don't need bells and whistles to leave a lasting impression on fans, and Kenny Chesney is making sure no added effect distracts from the music on his "Spread the Love Tour 2016." When Kenny found himself talking about what tricks to implement on this year's tour, he decided to strip down some of the effects to ensure his fans get the best musical experience possible. Kenny explains, "In the end, it was the music and the moment they were responding to – not the flying, not the lasers, not the videos, but the songs. So when we got to decision-making we all realized: what the No Shoes Nation really wants is… the music."

Kenny says this tour's going to be as lean as it's ever been when it comes to added effects, which will help enhance the music even more. He shares, "The stage is clean. Nobody's flying. The sound is building on last year's incredible system – and the lights are going to be really focused on making the music stand out." Even with the stripped down approach and a focus on the songs, Kenny promises more intensity than ever before, adding, "This is going to be a year to remember… and we've not played the first note." The "Spread the Love Tour 2016" kicks off April 23 at Auburn University's Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The tour will feature special guests Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt and Old Dominion.

CRAIG WAYNE BOYD: WELCOMES BABY GIRL

Craig Wayne Boydand his fiancée Taylor Borland welcomed a baby girl, Dakota Lynne, in Nashville on New Year's Eve (12/31), which also happened to be Boyd's 37th birthday. Dakota weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces and was 17.5 inches long. "It was the best birthday present I could have ever received," Boyd tells People about the new arrival, adding, "We are in love already and I am so grateful for our growing family. Dakota is beautiful just like her mom." The Season 7 winner of NBC's The Voice is also the father to a 3-year-old son named Jaxon.

On Thursday, Craig posted an adorable black-and-white photo on Instagram, showing Dakota's tiny hand holding his index finger. The caption for the photo read, "The #bestof2015 for me and @taybrookebo didn't show till my #birthday, today!!" Boyd and Borland have been dating since December of 2014. The couple got engaged on a tour bus after Craig's performance in Branson, Missouri, in June.

A Domino’s Pizza customer got more than he bargained for Saturday night when he complained about a slow delivery and was stabbed by the delivery man.

The 20-year-old Covina, California man finally got his pizza at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, but when he complained about the “extended delay of the pizza delivery,” he was stabbed in the neck and wrist by 31-year-old Domino’s employee Michael Charles Parker, according to a lieutenant from the Covina Police Department. The customer was taken to a local hospital where he's in stable condition after being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Parker left the scene of the alleged crime, but police caught up with him early Sunday morning. Police aren’t sure how late the pizza was that led to the complaint and the alleged assault, but we're guessing the customer will think twice about ever complaining again.

COPS SEEKING NAKED PEEPING TOM IN REAGAN MASK:

An Alabama man may soon be singing "Jail to the Chief" -- after he was spotted lurking on the property of strangers wearing a Ronald Reagan mask and nothing else, other than a tube sock covering his junk.

The man, who is still at large, was first spotted by homeowner Bert Yancey, who chased him out of his yard after seeing him peeping in a window. By the time cops arrived at the scene, he was long gone, but officers insist they intend to track him down to avoid future incidents. A police representative said, "He could have been messed up on drugs or alcohol, and in that mindset you don't know what he would do to someone else."

Another streaker was spotted later in the evening, but police couldn't connect the two incidents.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DWI HAS RARE HEALTH CONDITION:

A New York woman arrested for DWI swears she wasn’t drinking. According to ABC news, the woman has a rare condition called “Auto-Brewery” syndrome, where her digestive system is a tiny brewery and makes it appear that she has been imbibing in the hard stuff.

The charges were dropped after her lawyer presented evidence from a doctor that she had the rare disease. Apparently the syndrome causes substances in the gut to ferment food into ethanol, causing a person’s blood-alcoholic level to spike. The person then begins to show symptoms of being drunk, including slurred words and confusion. The condition is not common but has been found in multiple patients.

Dr. Richard Peek, a professor of medicine and cancer biology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, said the cause of the symptoms is not fully understood although there is one likely culprit. He explains to ABC news, “"Yeast are normally in the GI tract and the commonality of all these case reports is they have an increased number of candida. When [yeast] ingest a meal that has a high amount of carbohydrates, they metabolize the carbohydrates into ethanol."

Peek said more study was needed to pinpoint the exact cause and find a cure that works for all patients.

Ben Higgins begins looking for his soulmate tonight on ABC’s “The Bachelor” at 8 p.m. He will meet the 28 women who are on the new season of the popular show tonight.

Higgins admitted to “E!” tht he was a bit skeptical about being a part of “Bachelorette” but he came to realize that it does give you an opportunity to meet someone you could fall in love with. He says he is

The new star of “The Bachelor” is a native of Warsaw, Indiana who now lives in Denver. He is a software salesman who likes to travel. He enjoys stimulating conversation, hiking and basketball. He has hiked the trails of Machu Picchu and worked at a zoo in Peru.

Higgins is open to meeting someone on the show, and seriously hopes that he might find someone to spend the rest of his life with.

BAR REFAELI: PREGNANT!

Bar Refaeli is going to be a mom.

The supermodel broke the news on Instagram Thursday. Alongside photos from her September wedding, she wrote, “2015 was like...#weddingbells,” and next to the photo of her pregnancy test, she wrote, “2016 is going to be like... Happy & Healthy New Year!”

This comes only three months after she wed Israeli businessman Adi Ezra. And one month after her arrest for tax evasion.

MILEY CYRUS: BACK WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH?

It's a new year, but Miley Cyrus is looking back -- as she's reunited with ex-fiancé Liam Hemsworth.

The two were spotted "cuddling and kissing" in his native Australia on Sunday. They attended the Falls Music Festival in Byron Bay, along with Liam's brothers Chris and Luke Hemsworth and their wives. A source tells Australia's Daily Telegraph that "Liam was seen rubbing Miley's back at one point" and that they appeared "affectionate."

Miley and Liam got engaged in 2012 but broke up a year later. In September, she told Elle U.K., "Me and Liam are still so close and we love each other."

ANNE HATHAWAY: SHOWS OFF THE BABY BUMP

Anne Hathaway has given the paparazzi what they've all been wanting since news broke of her pregnancy -- a photo of her belly.

The 33-year-old actress posted an Instagram picture yesterday, showing off her belly in a red bikini as she walked along the beach. She wrote, “So, posting a bikini pic is a little out of character for me, but just now while I was at the beach I noticed I was being photographed. I figure if this kind of photo is going to be out in the world it should be an image that makes me happy (and one that was taken with my consent. And with a filter."

RIP NATALIE COLE: DEAD AT THE AGE OF 65

Natalie Cole was a legend who had many fans among her peers. The singer, 65, died on Thursday after battling health issues for some time.

“It is with heavy hearts that we bring to you all the news of our mother and sisters passing,” was posted on Twitter from her son, Robert Yancy, and sisters Timolin and Casey Cole. They went on to say, “Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever."

The daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie had a successful career that spanned several decades with hits including “This Will Be,” “Our Love,” and “Inseparable.” In the 1990’s she combined her voice with that of her father to release an album of his legendary songs as duets, “Unforgettable…With Love.” The project won GRAMMY Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.